LION ON THE LOOSE! Those were the recent headlines from out of Galveston. Texas authorities who were busy trying to clean up after Hurricane Ike smashed into Galveston had a new problem on their hands: There was a lion (and tiger) on the loose. A county official said that the animal somehow left its enclosure at an exotic pets center in Crystal Beach. Animal experts are coming in to try and catch the big cats. Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough put it this way: "Turns out there's a tiger, and I understand he's hungry ... so we're staying away from him."

Well, there’s another lion on the loose as well. He’s far more dangerous than any wild animal could be for he is seeking to devour the souls of man. Peter tells us in his letter to the church of his day (and to us as well): “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith” (I Peter 5:8,9, New Living Translation).

Our ancient foe is lion-like in this respect. He crouches in the weeds. He waits for the weak and vulnerable. He looks for those who are cut off from the herd, who are alone with their thoughts. He is swift to the attack and determined to bring us down!

A missionary who served in Africa for many years shared some thoughts on what to do in case we ever met or encountered a hungry lion. The first thing to remember is that you should never try to outrun on lion. That would mean certain death. They have been clocked at up to 36 miles an hour. Next, you should try to look very brave and stare right into the lion’s eyes. If you are successful, he will back down and run away. However, if that does not work, you should be prepared for the lion to attack you. Have your spear ready so that when he leaps upon you, he will land on the spear and be killed!

This same advice can be applied to our dealings with the devil. We can stand against him by faith. If he attacks (and he surely will) we can be ready with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. He will fall on it.

One day the Lion of the tribe of Judah will do far more than tame this beast. He will in fact, hunt him down and throw him into a pit from which he will never escape. His entire pride will perish with him. That’s good news. But in the meantime we must be alert to his prowling ways and be ready to defeat his intentions. We can do it with the help of the Lord!

ACCORDING TO REUTERS NEWS AGANCY, June 12, 2003, a Russian cargo rocket, the only remaining supply link to the International Space Station, arrived at the outpost carrying food and recorded sounds of rain and croaking frogs for the homesick crew. Psychologists working with the Russian and U.S. space agencies said the sounds of nature will relax the crew and help them cope with the six-month stint in space.

Russia’s Progress cargo vessel and its manned Soyuz were the only remaining ties to the $95 billion ISS since the Columbia space shuttle disaster grounded the U.S. fleet, leaving the outpost to struggle without deliveries from the larger craft.

The Progress M1-10 was packed with some 2,400 kg (5,300 pounds) of supplies for the station, including water, fuel and food, as well as music, recorded nature sounds and letters for U.S. astronaut Edward Lu and Russia’s Yuri Malenchenko, on board since April.

The crew, reduced from the usual three astronauts in an effort to save fuel and water, was due to returned to earth in October, 2003.

The next Progress was scheduled to blast off from Russia’s Baikonur base in Kazakhstan in August. Any hitch with either of the Progress of the Soyuz would prove crippling for the ISS which is funded by 16 states.

Since the Columbia shuttle disaster, Russian space officials planned an extra launch for November, 20003. The Columbia, NASA’s oldest shuttle, disintegrated over Texas in February only minutes before landing, killing all seven astronauts on board.

Frog Music aboard the Russian cargo rocket! Of all things! What will the government think of next? Actually, nature’s sounds do have a soothing effect on one’s psyche. For example, who has not lain on the beach and listened to the sounds of gentle waves lapping against the surf and not been put at ease? Or, what about a morning dove’s coo? Or a babbling brook? Or wind charms?

No doubt about it, the Lord God has created a symphony of sorts---all for our benefit. Let nature’s soft melodies quell your troubled mind. No need for headphones, CD’s, or any recorded music for that matter. The sounds are all about us. Open your ears and listen to the sweet tones. Observe the relaxing of your tense muscles as creation sings her songs. Whether thousands of miles away in outer space, or by the shores of a lake, the calm repose nature offers frees one temporarily from all care.

Come to think of it, our universe offers serenity of soul that is devoid of sound, also. Visualize, if you will, a warm summer evening, gazing at a beautiful sunset. And in the background are palm trees, waving gently in the breeze. Does not the mere thought of it deliver a certain peacefulness? Who could improve on a mountain peak rising majestically to praise the One who designed her? How many times have weary souls gazed into a starry sky, only to be caught up in a breathtaking spell, mindful of nothing save the wonder of such a sight? “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3,KJV).